Tracey's work is celebrated

Tracey Witty, of Loughborough, will be celebrated on-board one of Arriva’s new double deck buses after members of the community were invited to nominate Leicester stars. The 47-year-old set up the website www.b12deficiency.info to raise awareness of B12 deficiency after she was diagnosed with the condition in her early 40s.

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A LOUGHBOROUGH woman’s name is set to be put on a bus due to the work she has done to raise awareness of B12 deficiency after being diagnosed with the condition herself.

Tracey Witty, will be celebrated on-board one of Arriva’s new double deck buses after members of the community were invited to nominate ‘Leicester stars’.

The 47-year-old set up the website www.b12deficiency.info to raise awareness of B12 deficiency after she was diagnosed with the condition in her early 40s.

Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells and DNA but problems arise when B12 cannot be absorbed from food (meat fish eggs and dairy).

But Tracey says that due to lack of awareness amongst health professionals and poor testing, the condition can be misdiagnosed.

“I was researching the deficiency for a family friend when I realised I had a lot of the symptoms”, Tracey said.

“I’d had multiple miscarriages and I was losing my memory, I developed IBS, bladder weakness and had blurred vision. I was also told I was going through the menopause in my thirties but all my symptoms were due to B12 deficiency.”

Tracey told the Echo that within the first two weeks of receiving B12 injections, many of her symptoms improved and they are kept at bay with weekly B12 injections.

She says that people who don’t have enough B12 can showcase a range of symptoms from tiredness to poor mental health and even fertility problems.

Once diagnosed, vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated successfully with regular B12 injections but Tracey states many people do not know they have the deficiency.

She said: “Around 18-19 per cent of the population are said to be B12 deficient, however the true incidence is unknown due to common misdiagnosis.

“It can effect all ages, all body systems and both sexes and I cannot bear the thought of anyone going through years of problems when it can be so easily treated. This is why I launched the website.”

“I work with leading B12 Expert Sally Pacholok, running conferences and campaigning for better diagnosis and treatment by petitioning government. The role of the website is to help educate clinicians and raise public awareness.”

“Anyone who thinks they may be B12 deficient should not supplement with vitamin B12 before they’ve been tested as this can skew results.”

Arriva’s new vehicles will be operating around the Leicestershire area and a plaque of Tracey’s work will soon be on-board a vehicle.

Tracey said: “The plaque is great as it will highlight the condition, it’s really lovely that so many people voted. I’m very touched.”

For more information and advice on B12 deficiency visit: www.b12deficiency.info